Craft Focus - April/May 2020 (Issue 78)

92 Ask the experts Can I use craft kits to help run workshops? Craft kits can be really useful when you’re running a workshop, offering a simple way to bring something new to your schedule of classes. Kits can save a lot of time in planning, finding materials and writing handouts, enabling you to focus on marketing the class and getting people through the door. Simply work the cost of the kits into the price of the workshop. Look out for complete kits which take the hard work out of sourcing individual components but be sure to check with the company that they’re happy for you to use their product in a workshop setting. Those with detailed instructions can free up your time in class, and crafters can check the details themselves if you’re busy helping another participant. Be sure to trial each kit first so you can help guide everyone or find a workshop leader to run the class. Using kits also means everyone can go home with all their bits in a neat box or bag, and if they didn’t manage to finish, they can complete it later. Finally, have some extra kits in different designs available to buy so that everyone who has loved the workshop can carry on with their new craft – and keep coming back for more. Our experts answer your craft and retail dilemmas NATASHA NECATI Natasha is business development director at Crafty Arts, a multi-channel retailer supplying products to hobbyists around the world. craftyarts.co.uk How wil l a blog help me pr omote my craft business, and what kind of content should I be pr oducing? There are many ways a blog could be of benefit to your business. Here’s a handful of reasons why you should consider it: 1 It can boost your search engine optimisation Organic SEO is like gold dust, and most importantly, it’s free. Having a blog that is full of content enables your business to come up on Google when your name is typed in. Fresh content is key, so if you’re posting frequently, you’re giving the search engines the ability to index your posts. 2 It’s free advertising When posting on your blog, ensure that you include links to the product you’re promoting from your website, for example. 3 It builds trust Customers love added value and providing a blog does just this. You’ll be improving the customer experience and potentially offering something your competitors don’t. When it comes to content, there are many types of blog entries. Create a content calendar that will allow you to plan in advance what it is that you’d like to showcase. Finding the right content for you is vital, and it’s important to be consistent. Product reviews allow customers to learn more. Test the product in a video if you have time. Question and answers are also useful. Think about what’s in the box and how you use it. Try showcasing a new product each week, promoting the fact that you’re listening to customers’ wants. How to features, ideas and hacks are also popular with readers, and you can also talk about company news and events. Hints and tips from experts can also be very effective. Collect questions from your readers so you know what it is they want to learn about. STEPHANIE CARSWELL Stephanie Carswell is director of Hawthorn Handmade. Since 2013 she has helped create a highly successful series of felting kits, putting a contemporary spin on traditional techniques. hawthornhandmade.com